High school sweethearts host elegant vintage wedding: Shelly & Justin

High school sweethearts Shelly Sanders and Justin Gould met when they were just 15.

Almost a decade later they walked down the aisle in an elegant vintage wedding in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges.

Shelly, 24, planned for a year to ensure the day was memorable for them and their guests.

“Our overall aim was to create a really good atmosphere, great music and great food and not a lot of waiting around,” she says.

Shelly and Justin, 23, wed in the charming chapel at Bram Leigh Receptions on January 9, 2015 in front of 110 guests. Their reception followed at the same location, allowing for a seamless transition between the vows and celebration.

A photobooth, kitted out with costumes by the bride, provided plenty of entertainment and, even though they married in Melbourne, the couple had plenty of reminders of their former life in Gippsland.

“We had our families and friends from the country, we had a local band from back home and a brilliant local photographer,” Shelly says.

There was plenty of DIY too. Shelly’s sister made the bridesmaids’ gowns and another sister designed, cooked and decorated the wedding cake.

“And Justin and I designed and made all the bomboniere and table labels,” Shelly says.

“Everyone complimented on what a perfect day it was and how the atmosphere was so great. Great old-school music, a photobooth and just an all-round perfect day!”

Photos courtesy of Alice Campbell Photography.

Shelly’s lace gown from Fairytales Bridal Boutique featured a peplum bodice, scalloped hemline and delicate lace sleeves which she had added.

Jumping Jonquils crafted Shelly’s feminine bouquet in elegant muted pastel tones.

Each layer of the couple’s cake was a different flavour: mud cake with fresh strawberries, vanilla with white choc and raspberry; and coconut and lemon.